By A. Tereasa Rerko, Esquire
Social Security announces expedited retroactive payments and higher benefits for people affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO)
The Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law on January 5, 2025. It eliminates the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and is retroactive to January 2024. The WEP and GPO reduced Social Security benefits for certain retirees who also received a pension based on work that was not covered by Social Security, including public school teachers, police officers, firefighters, and postal workers.
Beneficiaries will receive a one-time retroactive payment by the end of March. They will also receive higher monthly benefits going forward, although individual amounts will vary based on the person’s type of Social Security benefit received and the amount of their pension.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) had estimated it would take a year to correct all the accounts. However, a bi-partisan group of senators demanded they implement the relief immediately and only the most complex cases will be delayed. If you are entitled to a retroactive payment, you will receive a written notice in the mail, but due to the accelerated implementation, recipients may well receive their refund before they receive their notice.
If your Social Security benefits were affected by the WEP or GPO, we advise you to check your status at your My Social Security Account and ensure that your mailing and address and/or direct deposit is up to date. If you do not yet have a My Social Security Account, now is a good time to set that up. As always, if you need assistance with Social Security benefits, you can contact us online or at 888-534-6016.
